U.S. patent application number 12/489650 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-24 for vehicle control system and method of controlling vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Hirofumi Fujita, Kazuyuki Watanabe.
Application Number | 20090318262 12/489650 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41431827 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090318262 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fujita; Hirofumi ; et
al. |
December 24, 2009 |
VEHICLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING VEHICLE
Abstract
A control system of a vehicle including an engine and an
automatic transmission operable to form one of a plurality of gear
positions set according to running conditions of the vehicle, and a
method of controlling the vehicle are provided. In the control, the
rotational speed of an input-side rotary shaft of a shifting
mechanism of the transmission is detected, and the vehicle is
controlled so that, when an execution condition that one of the
gear positions set according to the running conditions is
maintained and the rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft
has increased to be higher than a rotational speed corresponding to
the set gear position is satisfied, the vehicle is brought into
running conditions that will eliminate a state in which air is
present in the hydraulic fluid supplied from an oil supply
device.
Inventors: |
Fujita; Hirofumi;
(Okazaki-shi, JP) ; Watanabe; Kazuyuki; (Anjo-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Assignee: |
Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki
Kaisha
Toyota-Shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
41431827 |
Appl. No.: |
12/489650 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
477/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60W 30/18 20130101;
F16H 2061/004 20130101; Y10T 477/6333 20150115; B60W 2510/1015
20130101; B60W 2540/12 20130101; Y10T 477/6395 20150115; B60K 1/02
20130101; B60Y 2300/476 20130101; B60W 2510/0638 20130101; B60W
2540/10 20130101; B60W 2540/16 20130101; Y02T 10/54 20130101; B60W
10/115 20130101; B60W 10/06 20130101; B60W 2510/107 20130101; B60W
2710/0666 20130101; Y10T 477/6414 20150115; B60W 2510/104 20130101;
Y02T 10/40 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
477/80 |
International
Class: |
B60W 10/10 20060101
B60W010/10; B60W 30/18 20060101 B60W030/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 24, 2008 |
JP |
JP2008-164817 |
Claims
1. A control system of a vehicle including an engine, and an
automatic transmission operable to establish a gear position
selected from a plurality of gear positions, according to running
conditions of the vehicle, by changing engaged or released states
of friction devices using a hydraulic pressure supplied from a
hydraulic pressure source, said automatic transmission including a
fluid coupling having an input shaft coupled to the engine and a
shifting mechanism having an input shaft coupled to the fluid
coupling, said hydraulic pressure source including a reservoir in
which a hydraulic fluid is stored, a supply device that supplies
the hydraulic fluid stored in the reservoir to the friction
devices, using power of the engine, and a flow path through which
the hydraulic fluid stored in the reservoir flows into the supply
device, said control system comprising: a rotational speed detector
configured to detect a rotational speed of an input-side rotary
shaft of the shifting mechanism; and a controller configured to
control the vehicle so that, when an execution condition that a
selected one of said plurality of gear positions set according to
the running conditions of the vehicle is maintained, and the
rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft has increased to be
higher than a rotational speed corresponding to the set gear
position, is satisfied, the vehicle is brought from running
conditions under which the execution condition is satisfied, into
running conditions that will eliminate a state in which air is
present in the hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply device.
2. The control system of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the controller controls the vehicle so that the rotational speed of
the input-side rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism is reduced to
be lower than a rotational speed thereof detected when the
execution condition is satisfied.
3. The control system of the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein
the controller controls the automatic transmission so that the
automatic transmission is shifted into a higher-speed gear position
than the gear position established when the execution condition is
satisfied.
4. The control system of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the controller controls the engine so that output torque of the
engine is reduced to be smaller than output torque detected when
the execution condition is satisfied.
5. The control system of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the execution condition comprises a condition that the selected one
of said plurality of gear positions set according to the running
conditions of the vehicle is maintained, and the rotational speed
of the input shaft of the shifting mechanism is higher by a
predetermined value or greater than a synchronous rotational speed
corresponding to the set gear position and a rotational speed of an
output shaft of the shifting mechanism.
6. The control system of the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein
the execution condition comprises a condition that the selected one
of said plurality of gear positions set according to the running
conditions of the vehicle is maintained, and the rotational speed
of the engine is higher by a predetermined value or greater than a
synchronous rotational speed corresponding to the set gear position
and a rotational speed of an output shaft of the shifting
mechanism.
7. The control system of the vehicle according to claim 1, further
comprising a temperature detector configured to detect a
temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the automatic transmission,
wherein the controller controls the vehicle so that, when the
execution condition is satisfied, and the temperature of the
hydraulic fluid is equal to or lower than a predetermined
temperature, the vehicle is brought into running conditions that
will eliminate the state in which air is present in the hydraulic
fluid supplied from the supply device.
8. A method of controlling a vehicle including an engine, and an
automatic transmission operable to establish a gear position
selected from a plurality of gear positions, according to running
conditions of the vehicle, by changing engaged or released states
of friction devices using a hydraulic pressure supplied from a
hydraulic pressure source, said automatic transmission including a
fluid coupling having an input shaft coupled to the engine and a
shifting mechanism having an input shaft coupled to the fluid
coupling, said hydraulic pressure source including a reservoir in
which a hydraulic fluid is stored, a supply device that supplies
the hydraulic fluid stored in the reservoir to the friction
devices, using power of the engine, and a flow path through which
the hydraulic fluid stored in the reservoir flows into the supply
device, said method comprising: detecting a rotational speed of an
input-side rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism; and controlling
the vehicle so that, when an execution condition that a selected
one of said plurality of gear positions set according to the
running conditions of the vehicle is maintained, and the rotational
speed of the input-side rotary shaft has increased to be higher
than a rotational speed corresponding to the set gear position, is
satisfied, the vehicle is brought from running conditions under
which the execution condition is satisfied, into running conditions
that will eliminate a state in which air is present in the
hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply device.
9. The method of controlling the vehicle according to claim 8,
wherein the vehicle is controlled so that the rotational speed of
the input-side rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism is reduced to
be lower than a rotational speed detected when the execution
condition is satisfied.
10. The method of controlling the vehicle according to claim 9,
wherein the automatic transmission is controlled so as to be
shifted into a higher-speed gear position than the gear position
established when the execution condition is satisfied.
11. The method of controlling the vehicle according to claim 8,
wherein the engine is controlled so that output torque of the
engine is reduced to be smaller than output torque detected when
the execution condition is satisfied.
12. The method of controlling the vehicle according to claim 8,
wherein the execution condition comprises a condition that the
selected one of said plurality of gear positions set according to
the running conditions of the vehicle is maintained, and the
rotational speed of the input shaft of the shifting mechanism is
higher by a predetermined value or greater than a synchronous
rotational speed corresponding to the set gear position and a
rotational speed of an output shaft of the shifting mechanism.
13. The method of controlling the vehicle according to claim 8,
wherein the execution condition comprises a condition that the
selected one of said plurality of gear positions set according to
the running conditions of the vehicle is maintained, and the
rotational speed of the engine is higher by a predetermined value
or greater than a synchronous rotational speed corresponding to the
set gear position and a rotational speed of an output shaft of the
shifting mechanism.
14. The method of controlling the vehicle according to claim 1,
further comprising detecting a temperature of the hydraulic fluid
in the automatic transmission, wherein the vehicle is controlled so
that, when the execution condition is satisfied, and the
temperature of the hydraulic fluid is equal to or lower than a
predetermined temperature, the vehicle is brought into running
conditions that will eliminate the state in which air is present in
the hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply device.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2008-164817 filed on Jun. 24, 2008 including the specification,
drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to control of a vehicle on which an
automatic transmission is installed, and in particular to control
of the vehicle for eliminating a state in which air is present in a
hydraulic fluid supplied into the automatic transmission when the
hydraulic fluid has a low temperature.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In an automatic transmission, a hydraulic fluid stored in an
oil pan is sucked up by an oil pump through a strainer, and is
supplied to each constituent component of the automatic
transmission. In the automatic transmission of this type, if the
suction amount of the hydraulic fluid through the strainer
increases because the viscosity of the hydraulic fluid is high, or
the engine speed is high, for example, the amount of the hydraulic
fluid in the oil pan is reduced, and the strainer may be exposed to
above the oil level, thus causing a problem that air is likely to
be mixed into the hydraulic fluid when it is sucked through the
strainer. Similarly, when the oil level of the hydraulic fluid in
the oil pan changes due to the inertial force applied to the
hydraulic fluid under certain running conditions of the vehicle,
the strainer may be exposed to above the oil level, thus causing a
problem that air is likely to be mixed into the hydraulic fluid
when it is sucked through the strainer. If the hydraulic fluid that
contains air is supplied to a friction device that is engaged so as
to establish a gear position of the automatic transmission, a
sufficiently high hydraulic pressure needed to engage the friction
device cannot be supplied to the friction device, and slipping may
occur in the friction device.
[0006] As one example of hydraulic control system for solving the
problem as described above, a hydraulic control system for an
automatic transmission as described in Japanese Patent Application
Publication No. 7-174216 (JP-A-7-173216), for example, is arranged
to prevent the engine from stalling due to uneven distribution of
the oil in the oil pan upon abrupt braking. The hydraulic control
system is employed in the automatic transmission having a torque
converter equipped with a lock-up device capable of directly
coupling an input element to an output element thereof, and
includes a line pressure actuator for regulating a hydraulic oil
pressure delivered from an oil pump of the automatic transmission
so as to develop a line pressure, and a line pressure controller
for controlling the operation of the line pressure actuator so as
to form a line pressure corresponding to vehicle running
conditions, based on input from a running condition detector. The
hydraulic control system is characterized in that an exposed-state
detector for detecting a state in which an inlet of the oil
strainer provided on the inlet side of the oil pump is exposed to
above the oil level, and that the line pressure controller executes
control for increasing the line pressure while the state in which
the inlet of the oil strainer is exposed to above the oil level is
detected by the exposed-state detector.
[0007] With the hydraulic control system for the automatic
transmission constructed as described above, even when the oil in
the oil pan collects on one side during braking, and the inlet of
the oil strainer is exposed to above the oil level, resulting in a
reduction in the pressure delivered by the oil pump, the line
pressure controller controls the operation of the line pressure
actuator so as to increase the line pressure, so that the line
pressure is not reduced as much as the delivery pressure of the oil
pump. Accordingly, the release pressure supplied to the lock-up
device so as to release the lock-up clutch of the torque converter
in response to the braking action is kept at a higher level than
the apply pressure, and the engine is prevented from stalling due
to failed release of the lock-up clutch which would be otherwise
caused by reduction of the release pressure.
[0008] In the hydraulic control system for the automatic
transmission as described in the above-identified publication,
however, the exposed-state detector needs to be provided for
detecting the state in which the inlet of the strainer is exposed
to above the oil level, resulting in an increase in the number of
constituent components of the automatic transmission and increased
cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides vehicle control system and
control method, which control the vehicle so as to eliminate a
state in which air is present in hydraulic fluid in an automatic
transmission, without requiring any additional constituent
component.
[0010] A first aspect of the invention provides a control system of
a vehicle as hereinafter described. The vehicle on which the
control system is installed includes an engine, and an automatic
transmission operable to establish a gear position selected from a
plurality of gear positions, according to running conditions of the
vehicle, by changing engaged or released states of friction devices
using a hydraulic pressure supplied from a hydraulic pressure
source. The automatic transmission includes a fluid coupling having
an input shaft coupled to the engine and a shifting mechanism
having an input shaft coupled to the fluid coupling. The hydraulic
pressure source includes a reservoir in which a hydraulic fluid is
stored, a supply device that supplies the hydraulic fluid stored in
the reservoir to the friction devices, using power of the engine,
and a flow path through which the hydraulic fluid stored in the
reservoir flows into the supply device. The control system includes
a rotational speed detector configured to detect a rotational speed
of an input-side rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism, and a
controller configured to control the vehicle so that, when an
execution condition that a selected one of the plurality of gear
positions set according to the running conditions of the vehicle is
maintained, and the rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft
has increased to be higher than a rotational speed corresponding to
the set gear position, is satisfied, the vehicle is brought from
running conditions under which the execution condition is
satisfied, into running conditions that will eliminate a state in
which air is present in the hydraulic fluid supplied from the
supply device.
[0011] When a gear position selected from a plurality of gear
positions is established, the rotational speed of the input-side
rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism changes along with a
synchronous rotational speed corresponding to the established gear
position as long as the selected gear position is not changed due
to a change in the running conditions. Therefore, if a variation
arises in the rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft of
the shifting mechanism in the above case, slipping may occur in a
friction device or devices due to the presence of air in the
hydraulic fluid. By controlling the vehicle so as to bring it from
the running conditions under which the execution condition is
satisfied, into the running conditions that will eliminate the
state in which air is present in the hydraulic fluid supplied from
the supply device (for example, so as to reduce the rotational
speed of the input-side rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism),
air is prevented from being contained in the hydraulic fluid, and
slipping of the friction device(s) can be suppressed or prevented.
Since it is not necessary to detect an exposed state of a
reservoir-side end portion of the flow path, so as to carry out the
above control, there is no need to add a new constituent component
for this purpose. Thus, the control system of the vehicle is
provided which eliminates the state in which air is present in the
hydraulic fluid in the automatic transmission, without requiring
any additional component.
[0012] In the control system as described above, the controller may
control the vehicle so that the rotational speed of the input-side
rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism is reduced to be lower than
a rotational speed thereof detected when the execution condition is
satisfied.
[0013] The controller of the control system as described just above
controls the vehicle so that the rotational speed of the input-side
rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism is reduced to be lower than
the rotational speed detected when the execution condition is
satisfied, whereby the amount of the hydraulic fluid supplied from
the supply device can be reduced. As a result, the amount of the
hydraulic fluid drawn from the reservoir by the supply device can
be reduced. Therefore, the oil level of the hydraulic fluid in the
reservoir is less likely to be lowered, and air is prevented from
being contained in the hydraulic fluid in the automatic
transmission.
[0014] In the control system as described above, the controller may
control the automatic transmission so that the automatic
transmission is shifted into a higher-speed gear position than the
gear position established when the execution condition is
satisfied.
[0015] With the control system as described above, the automatic
transmission is controlled to be shifted into a higher-speed gear
position than the gear position established when the execution
condition is satisfied, so that the rotational speed of the
input-side rotary shaft of the shifting mechanism can be reduced,
and the amount of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply
device can be reduced. Thus, the oil level of the hydraulic fluid
in the reservoir is less likely to be lowered, and air is prevented
from being contained in the hydraulic fluid in the automatic
transmission.
[0016] In the control system as described above, the controller may
control the engine so that output torque of the engine is reduced
to be smaller than output torque detected when the execution
condition is satisfied.
[0017] The controller of the control system as described above
controls the engine so as to reduce the output torque of the engine
to be smaller than the output torque detected when the execution
condition is satisfied, so that the torque transmitted to the
automatic transmission can be reduced. Therefore, the degree of
slipping of the friction device(s) can be reduced. Owing to the
reduction of the output torque, a surge in the input-side
rotational speed of the shifting mechanism is suppressed or
prevented, and the rotational speed is reduced. As a result, the
amount of the hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply device can
be reduced. Consequently, the oil level of the hydraulic fluid in
the reservoir is less likely to be lowered, and air is prevented
from being contained in the hydraulic fluid in the automatic
transmission.
[0018] In the control system as described above, the execution
condition may be a condition that the selected one of the plurality
of gear positions set according to the running conditions of the
vehicle is maintained, and the rotational speed of the input shaft
of the shifting mechanism is higher by a predetermined value or
greater than a synchronous rotational speed corresponding to the
set gear position and a rotational speed of an output shaft of the
shifting mechanism.
[0019] When the rotational speed of the input shaft of the shifting
mechanism is higher by the predetermined value or greater than the
synchronous speed corresponding to the set gear position, air may
be contained in the hydraulic fluid, and slipping may occur in the
friction device(s). In this case, the control system controls the
vehicle so as to prevent air from being contained in the hydraulic
fluid, thereby to suppress or prevent slipping of the friction
device(s).
[0020] In the control system as described above, the execution
condition may be a condition that the selected one of the plurality
of gear positions set according to the running conditions of the
vehicle is maintained, and the rotational speed of the engine is
higher by a predetermined value or greater than a synchronous
rotational speed corresponding to the set gear position and a
rotational speed of an output shaft of the shifting mechanism.
[0021] When the engine speed is higher by the predetermined value
or greater than the synchronous speed corresponding to the set gear
position, air may be contained in the hydraulic fluid, and slipping
may occur in the friction device(s). In this case, the control
system controls the vehicle so as to prevent air from being
contained in the hydraulic fluid, thereby to suppress or prevent
slipping of the friction device(s).
[0022] The control system as described above may further include a
temperature detector configured to detect a temperature of the
hydraulic fluid in the automatic transmission. The controller of
this control system may control the vehicle so that, when the
execution condition is satisfied, and the temperature of the
hydraulic fluid is equal to or lower than a predetermined
temperature, the vehicle is brought into running conditions that
will eliminate the state in which air is present in the hydraulic
fluid supplied from the supply device.
[0023] When the hydraulic fluid has a low temperature and thus has
a high viscosity, the hydraulic fluid supplied to the automatic
transmission is less likely to return to the reservoir, and the oil
level of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir is more likely to be
lowered, thus increasing the possibility of mixing of air into the
hydraulic fluid. Therefore, when a condition that the temperature
of the hydraulic fluid is equal to or lower than the predetermined
temperature, in addition to the above-mentioned execution
condition, is satisfied, the vehicle is controlled so as to
eliminate the state in which air is present in the hydraulic fluid,
thereby to suppress or prevent slipping of the friction
device(s).
[0024] A second aspect of the invention provides a method of
controlling a vehicle as hereinafter described. The vehicle
controlled by this method includes an engine, and an automatic
transmission operable to establish a gear position selected from a
plurality of gear positions, according to running conditions of the
vehicle, by changing engaged or released states of friction devices
using a hydraulic pressure supplied from a hydraulic pressure
source. The automatic transmission includes a fluid coupling having
an input shaft coupled to the engine and a shifting mechanism
having an input shaft coupled to the fluid coupling. The hydraulic
pressure source includes a reservoir in which a hydraulic fluid is
stored, a supply device that supplies the hydraulic fluid stored in
the reservoir to the friction devices, using power of the engine,
and a flow path through which the hydraulic fluid stored in the
reservoir flows into the supply device. The control method includes
the steps of: detecting a rotational speed of an input-side rotary
shaft of the shifting mechanism, and controlling the vehicle so
that, when an execution condition that a selected one of said
plurality of gear positions set according to the running conditions
of the vehicle is maintained, and the rotational speed of the
input-side rotary shaft has increased to be higher than a
rotational speed corresponding to the set gear position, is
satisfied, the vehicle is brought from running conditions under
which the execution condition is satisfied, into running conditions
that will eliminate a state in which air is present in the
hydraulic fluid supplied from the supply device.
[0025] The control method as described above makes it possible to
eliminate the state in which air is present in the hydraulic fluid
in the automatic transmission, without requiring any additional
constituent component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The foregoing and further objects, features and advantages
of the invention will become apparent from the following
description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals are used to represent
like elements and wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a power train
controlled by ECU as a control system according to one embodiment
of the invention;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a skeleton diagram showing a gear train of an
automatic transmission of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a view showing an operation table of the automatic
transmission of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a view showing a part of a hydraulic circuit in
the automatic transmission of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the ECU as the
vehicle control system according to the embodiment of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control scheme of a
program executed by the ECU as the vehicle control system according
to the embodiment of the invention;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a timing chart (No. 1) illustrating the operation
of the ECU as the vehicle control system according to the
embodiment of the invention; and
[0034] FIG. 8 is a timing chart (No. 2) illustrating the operation
of the ECU as the vehicle control system according to the
embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0035] An embodiment of the invention will be described with
reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same
reference numerals are assigned to the same components, which are
identified by the same names and have the same functions. Thus,
detailed description of these components will not be repeated.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, the construction of a vehicle on which
a vehicle control system according to one embodiment of the
invention is installed will be described. The vehicle shown in FIG.
1 is a FF (Front-engine Front-drive) vehicle. The invention may be
applied to vehicles other than the FF vehicle.
[0037] The vehicle includes an engine 1000, automatic transmission
2000, planetary gear unit 3000 that constitutes a part of the
automatic transmission 2000, a hydraulic circuit 4000 that
constitutes a part of the automatic transmission 2000, differential
gear 5000, driveshafts or half shafts 6000, front wheels 7000, and
ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 8000. The vehicle control system
according to the invention is implemented by the ECU 8000.
[0038] The engine 1000 is an internal combustion engine operable to
burn a mixture of fuel injected from an injector (not shown) and
air, in a combustion chamber of each cylinder. The combustion of
the air-fuel mixture causes a piston in the cylinder to be pushed
down, so as to rotate a crankshaft.
[0039] The automatic transmission 2000 is connected to the engine
1000 via a torque converter 3200. The automatic transmission 2000
is placed in a desired gear position, so as to change the
rotational speed of the crankshaft to a desired rotational
speed.
[0040] An output gear of the automatic transmission 2000 is in mesh
with the differential gear 5000. The driveshafts 6000 are coupled
to the differential gear 5000 through engagement of splines, for
example. Power is transmitted to left and right front wheels 7000
via the driveshafts 6000.
[0041] To the ECU 8000 are connected a vehicle speed sensor 8002, a
position switch 8006 of a shift lever 8004, an acceleration stroke
sensor 8010 of an accelerator pedal 8008, a stroke sensor 8014 of a
brake pedal 8012, a throttle position sensor 8018 of an electronic
throttle valve 8016, an engine speed sensor 8020, an input shaft
speed sensor 8022, an output shaft speed sensor 8024, and an oil
temperature sensor 8026, via wire harnesses, or the like.
[0042] The vehicle speed sensor 8002 detects the running speed of
the vehicle from the rotational speed of the driveshafts 6000, and
transmits a signal indicative of the result of the detection to the
ECU 8000. The position switch 8006 detects the position of the
shift lever 8004, and transmits a signal indicative of the result
of the detection to the ECU 8000. The gear position of the
automatic transmission 2000 is automatically established according
to the position of the shift lever 8004. The automatic transmission
2000 may also operate in a manual shift mode according to the
operation of the driver, so that the driver can select a certain
gear position
[0043] The acceleration stroke sensor 8010 detects the amount of
depression of the accelerator pedal 8008, and transmits a signal
indicative of the result of the detection to the ECU 8000. The
stroke sensor 8014 detects the amount of depression or stroke of
the brake pedal 8012, and transmits a signal indicative of the
result of the detection to the ECU 8000.
[0044] The throttle position sensor 8018 detects the degree of
opening of the electronic control valve 8016 whose opening is
controlled by an actuator, and transmits a signal indicative of the
result of the detection to the ECU 8000. The amount of air drawn
into the engine 1000 (i.e., the output of the engine 1000) is
controlled by the electronic throttle valve 8016.
[0045] The engine speed sensor 8020 detects the rotational speed of
an output shaft (i.e., crankshaft) of the engine 1000, and
transmits a signal indicative of the result of the detection to the
ECU 8000. The input shaft speed sensor 8022 detects the rotational
speed NT of an input shaft of the automatic transmission 2000
(which will also be called "turbine speed"), and transmits a signal
indicative of the result of the detection to the ECU 8000. The
output shaft speed sensor 8024 detects the rotational speed NO of
an output shaft of the automatic transmission 2000, and transmits a
signal indicative of the result of the detection to the ECU
8000.
[0046] The output shaft of the engine 1000 is coupled to an input
shaft of the torque converter 3200, and an output shaft of the
torque converter 3200 is coupled to an input shaft of the planetary
gear unit 3000 as a shifting mechanism, so that the output shaft of
the engine 1000 and the input shaft of the torque converter 3200
rotate at the same speed. Also, the input shaft of the automatic
transmission 2000 and the output shaft of the torque converter 3200
rotate at the same speed.
[0047] The oil temperature sensor 8026 detects the temperature of
hydraulic fluid in the automatic transmission 2000, and transmits a
signal indicative of the result of the detection to the ECU
8000.
[0048] The ECU 800 controls devices or equipment so that the
vehicle is brought into desired running conditions, based on
signals received from the vehicle speed sensor 8002, position
switch 8006, acceleration stroke sensor 8010, stroke sensor 8014,
throttle position sensor 8018, engine speed sensor 8020, input
shaft speed sensor 8022, output shaft speed sensor 8024, etc., and
maps and programs stored in ROM (Read Only Memory).
[0049] In this embodiment, when the shift lever 8004 is placed in a
D (DRIVE) position so that a D (DRIVE) range is selected as a shift
range of the automatic transmission 2000, the ECU 8000 controls the
automatic transmission 2000 so as to establish a selected one of
first-speed through sixth-speed gear positions. The automatic
transmission 2000 thus placed in the selected one of the
first-speed through sixth-speed gear positions is operable to
transmit driving force to the front wheels 7000.
[0050] When the shift lever 8004 is placed in a N (NEUTRAL)
position so that a N (NEUTRAL) range is selected as a shift range
of the automatic transmission 2000, the automatic transmission 2000
is controlled so as to establish a neutral condition (in which
power transmission is cut off).
[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, the planetary gear unit 3000 provided
in the automatic transmission 2000 will be described. The planetary
gear unit 3000 is connected to the torque converter 3200 having the
input shaft 3100 coupled to the crankshaft. The planetary gear unit
3000 includes a first gear set 3300 in the form of a planetary gear
mechanism, second gear set 3400 in the form of a planetary gear
mechanism, output gear 3500, B1 brake 3610, B2 brake 3620 and B3
brake 3630 that are fixed to a gear case 3600, C1 clutch 3640 and
C2 clutch 3650, and a one-way clutch F3660.
[0052] The first gear set 3300 is a single-pinion type planetary
gear mechanism. The first gear set 3300 includes a sun gear S(UD)
3310, a pinion 3320, a ring gear R(UD) 3330, and a carrier C(UD)
3340.
[0053] The sun gear S(UD) 3310 is coupled to the output shaft 3210
of the torque converter 3200. The pinion is rotatably supported by
the carrier C(UD) 3340. The pinion 3320 is in mesh with the sun
gear S(UD) 3310 and the ring gear R(UD) 3330.
[0054] The ring gear R(UD) 3330 may be fixed to the gear case 3600
by the B3 brake 3630. The carrier C(UD) 3340 may be fixed to the
gear case 3600 by the B1 brake 3610.
[0055] The second gear set 3400 is a Ravigneaux type planetary gear
mechanism. The second gear set 3400 includes a sun gear S(D) 3410,
a short pinion 3420, a carrier C(1) 3422, a long pinion 3430, a
carrier C(2) 3432, a sun gear S(S) 3440, and a ring gear R(1)
(R(2)) 3450.
[0056] The sung gear S(D) 3410 is coupled to the carrier C(UD) 3340
of the first gear set 3300. The short pinion 3420 is rotatably
supported by the carrier C(1) 3422. The short pinion 3420 is in
mesh with the sun gear S(D) 3410 and the long pinion 3430. The
carrier C(1) 3422 is coupled to the output gear 3500.
[0057] The long pinion 3430 is rotatably supported by the carrier
C(2) 3432. The long pinion 3430 is in mesh with the short pinion
3420, sun gear S(S) 3440 and the ring gear R(1) (R(2)) 3450. The
carrier C(2) 3432 is coupled to the output gear 3500.
[0058] The sun gear S(S) 3440 may be coupled to the output shaft
3210 of the torque converter 3200 by the C1 clutch 3640. The ring
gear R(1) (R(2)) 3450 may be fixed to the gear case 3600 by the B2
brake 3620, and may be coupled to the output shaft 3210 of the
torque converter 3200 by the C2 clutch 3650. Also, the ring gear
R(1) (R(2)) 3450 is coupled to the one-way clutch F3660, and
becomes unable to rotate when the vehicle is driven in first
gear.
[0059] The one-way clutch F3660 is disposed in parallel with the B2
brake 3620. Namely, the outer race of the one-way clutch F3660 is
fixed to the gear case 3600, and the inner race is coupled to the
ring gear R(1) (R(2)) 3450 via a rotary shaft.
[0060] FIG. 3 is an operation table indicating the relationship
between each gear position and an operating (engaged or released)
state of each clutch element and each brake element. By actuating a
combination of the brake element(s) and the clutch element(s) as
indicated in the operation table, each of the first-speed through
sixth-speed forward-drive gear positions and one reverse-drive gear
position is established.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, the C1 clutch 3640 is engaged in all of
the first-speed through fourth-speed gear positions. Thus, the C1
clutch 3640 may be called "input clutch" in the first-speed through
fourth-speed gear positions. The C2 clutch 3650 is engaged in the
fifth-speed and sixth-speed gear positions. Thus, the C2 clutch
3650 may be called "input clutch" in the fifth-speed and
sixth-speed gear positions.
[0062] While the invention is applied to the automatic transmission
having two input clutches in this embodiment, the number of input
clutches is not particularly limited.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 4, a principal part of the hydraulic
circuit 4000 will be described. It is, however, to be understood
that the hydraulic circuit 4000 is not limited to the one as
described below.
[0064] The hydraulic circuit 4000 includes an oil pump 4004,
primary regulator valve 4006, manual valve 4100, solenoid modulator
valve 4200, SL1 linear solenoid (which will be referred to as
"SL(1)") 4210, SL2 linear solenoid (which will be referred to as
"SL(2)") 4220, SL3 linear solenoid (which will be referred to as
"SL(3)") 4230, SL4 linear solenoid (which will be referred to as
"SL(4)") 4240, SLT linear solenoid (which will be referred to as
"SLT") 4300, B2 control valve 4500, sequence valve 4600, clutch
apply control valve 4700, and a B1 apply control valve 4800.
[0065] A hydraulic pressure source of the automatic transmission
2000 includes an oil pan 4800 in which a hydraulic fluid (ATF
(Automatic Transmission Fluid)) of the automatic transmission is
stored, an oil pump 4004 operable to supply the hydraulic fluid
stored in the oil pan 4008 to each friction device, using the power
of the engine 1000, and a flow path 4014 through which the
hydraulic fluid in the oil pan 4008 flows into the oil pump
4004.
[0066] The oil pump 4004 is connected to a pump impeller of the
torque converter 3200. Namely, the oil pump 4004 is connected to
the crankshaft of the engine 1000. Accordingly, the oil pump 4004
is driven in accordance with rotation of the crankshaft of the
engine 1000, to suck up the hydraulic fluid in the oil pan 4008 via
the flow path 4014, so that the hydraulic fluid is fed under
pressure into the hydraulic circuit 4000 to generate a hydraulic
pressure. Also, a strainer 4012 is provided at an end portion of
the flow path 4014 which faces the oil pan 4008.
[0067] The hydraulic pressure generated by the oil pump 4004 is
regulated by the primary regulator valve 4006, to produce a line
pressure.
[0068] The primary regulator valve 4006 operates to produce the
line pressure, using a throttle pressure fed from the SLT 4300 as a
pilot pressure. The line pressure is supplied to the manual valve
4100 and the SL(4) 4240 via a line pressure oil path 4010.
[0069] The manual valve 4100 includes a drain port 4105. Hydraulic
pressures of a D-range pressure oil path 4102 and a R-range
pressure oil path 4104 are discharged from the drain port 4105.
When a spool of the manual valve 4100 is in a D position, the line
pressure oil path 4010 and the D-range pressure oil path 4102 are
brought into communication with each other, and the hydraulic
pressure (line pressure) is supplied to the D-range pressure oil
path 4102. At this time, the R-range pressure oil path 4104 and the
drain port 4105 are brought into communication with each other, and
the R-range pressure of the R-range pressure oil path 4104 is
discharged from the drain port 4105.
[0070] When the spool of the manual valve 4100 is placed in a R
position, the line-pressure oil path 4010 and the R-range pressure
oil path 4104 are brought into communication with each other, and
the hydraulic pressure (line pressure) is supplied to the R-range
pressure oil path 4104. At this time, the D-range pressure oil path
4102 and the drain port 4105 are bought into communication with
each other, and the hydraulic fluid in the D-range pressure oil
path 4102 is discharged from the drain port 4105.
[0071] When the spool of the manual valve 4100 is placed in a N
position, both of the D-range pressure oil path 4102 and the
R-range pressure oil path 4104 are brought into communication with
the drain port 4105, and the D-range pressure of the D-range
pressure oil path 4102 and the hydraulic fluid in the R-range
pressure oil path 4104 are discharged from the drain port 4105.
[0072] The hydraulic pressure supplied to the D-range pressure oil
path 4102 (which may also be called "D-range pressure") is supplied
to the SL(1) 4210, SL(2) 4220, SL(3) 4230, and to the clutch apply
control valve 4700 via an oil path 4106. The D-range pressure is
eventually supplied to the B1 brake 3610, B2 brake 3620, C1 clutch
3640 and C2 clutch 3650. The R-range pressure is eventually
supplied to the B2 brake 3620.
[0073] The solenoid modulator valve 4200 regulates the hydraulic
pressure (solenoid modulator pressure) to be supplied to the SLT
4300, to a constant pressure, using the line pressure as an
original pressure.
[0074] The SLT 4300 regulates the solenoid modulator pressure,
according to a control signal from the ECU 8000 based on the amount
of depression of the accelerator pedal detected by the acceleration
stroke sensor 8010, so as to produce a throttle pressure. The
throttle pressure is supplied to the primary regulator valve 4006
via a SLT oil path 4302. The throttle pressure is used as a pilot
pressure for the primary regulator valve 4006.
[0075] The B2 control valve 4500 supplies a hydraulic pressure from
a selected one of the D-range pressure oil path 4102 and the
R-range pressure oil path 4104, to the B2 brake 3620. The D-range
pressure oil path 4102 and the R-range pressure oil path 4104 are
connected to the B2 control valve 4500. The B2 control valve 4500
is controlled under hydraulic pressures supplied from a SL solenoid
valve (not shown) and a SLU solenoid valve (not shown) and the bias
force of a spring.
[0076] When the SL solenoid valve is off, and the SLU solenoid
valve is on, the B2 control valve 4500 is placed in the left-side
state as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the B2 control valve 4500
regulates the D-range pressure, using the hydraulic pressure
supplied from the SLU solenoid valve as a pilot pressure, and
supplies the thus regulated pressure to the B2 brake 3620.
[0077] When the SL solenoid valve is on, and the SLU solenoid valve
is off, the B2 control valve 4500 is placed in the right-side state
as shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the R-range pressure is supplied
to the B2 brake 3620.
[0078] The SL(1) 4210 regulates a hydraulic pressure to be supplied
to the C1 clutch 3640 via the sequence valve 4600. The SL(2) 4220
regulates a hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the C2 clutch 3650
via the sequence valve 4600. The SL(3) 4230 regulates a hydraulic
pressure to be supplied to the B1 brake 3610 via the B1 apply
control valve 4800. The SL(4) 4240 regulates a hydraulic pressure
to be supplied to the B3 brake 3630 via the sequence valve 4600 and
the clutch apply control valve 4700.
[0079] The SL(1) 4210, SL(2) 4220, SL(3) 4230, SL(4) 4240 and SLT
4300 are controlled according to control signals transmitted from
the ECU 8000.
[0080] The SL(1) 4210 and the sequence valve 4600 are connected by
an oil path 4212, and the SL(2) 4220 and the sequence valve 4600
are connected by an oil path 4222, while the SL(4) 4240 and the
sequence valve 4600 are connected by an oil path 4242.
[0081] The sequence valve 4600 is controlled under the hydraulic
pressure supplied from the SLT 4300 and the solenoid modulator
valve 4200 and the bias force of a spring.
[0082] When the spool of the manual valve 4100 is in the D
position, the sequence valve 4600, when it is in a normal
condition, is placed in the right-side state as shown in FIG. 4. In
this state, the oil path 4212 and an oil path 4602 connected to the
C1 clutch 3640 are brought into communication with each other, and
the oil path 4222 and an oil path 4604 connected to the C2 clutch
3650 are brought into communication with each other, while the oil
path 4242 and an oil path 4606 connected to the clutch apply
control valve 4700 are brought into communication with each other.
The oil path 4604 and the oil path 4606 are connected to the clutch
apply control valve 4700.
[0083] In gear positions other than the fourth-speed gear position,
the clutch apply control valve 4700 is placed in the right-side
state as shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, the clutch apply
control valve 4700 is controlled under the hydraulic pressure
supplied from the oil path 4602 to an upper part of the spool, the
hydraulic pressure supplied from the oil path 4604 to the upper
part of the spool, and the line pressure passing through an oil
path 4020 and the B1 apply control valve 4800 and supplied from an
oil path 4804 to a lower part of the spool, and the bias force of a
spring.
[0084] In the fourth-speed gear position, hydraulic pressures
regulated by the SL(1) 4210 and the SL(2) 4220 are supplied to the
C1 clutch 3640 and the C2 clutch 3650, so as to bring the C1 clutch
3640 and the C2 clutch 3650 into engaged states. At this time, the
clutch apply control valve 4700 is brought into the left-side state
as shown in FIG. 4, if the force applied to push down the spool
based on the hydraulic pressures supplied from the oil path 4602
and the oil path 4604 to the upper part of the spool exceeds the
resultant force based on the line pressure supplied to the lower
part of the spool and the bias force of the spring.
[0085] When the clutch apply control valve 4700 is in the left-side
state of FIG. 4, the oil path 4106 communicates with an oil path
4704 connected to an upper part of the spool of the B1 apply
control valve 4800. Therefore, the D-range pressure is supplied to
the upper part of the spool of the B1 apply control valve 4800, via
the oil path 4106 and the oil path 4704.
[0086] In gear positions other than the forth-speed gear position,
the hydraulic pressure regulated by the SL(1) 4210 or the SL(2)
4220 is supplied to a selected one of the C1 clutch 3640 and the C2
clutch 3650, so that the selected one of the C1 clutch 3640 and the
C2 clutch 3650 is brought into an engaged state. At this time, in
the clutch apply control valve 4700, the force applied to push down
the spool based on the hydraulic pressures supplied from the oil
path 4604 and the oil path 4606 to the upper part of the spool
becomes smaller than the resulting force based on the line pressure
supplied to the lower part of the spool and the bias force of the
spring, so that the clutch apply control valve 4700 is brought into
the right-side state as shown in FIG. 4. As a result, the oil path
4606 is brought into communication with an oil path 4702 connected
to the B3 brake 3630.
[0087] The B1 apply control valve 4800 is controlled under a
hydraulic pressure supplied from the oil path 4704 to the upper
part of the spool, a hydraulic pressure supplied from the oil path
4020 that branches off from the oil path 4010 to the lower part of
the spool, and a hydraulic pressure supplied from an oil path 4232
to the upper part of the spool, and the bias force of the
spring.
[0088] When the hydraulic pressure is supplied to the oil path 4702
connected to the B3 brake 3630, the force applied to push down the
spool of the B1 apply control valve 4800 based on the hydraulic
pressure supplied to the upper part of the spool exceeds the
resultant force based on the hydraulic pressure supplied to the
lower part of the spool and the bias force of the spring. As a
result, the B1 apply control valve 4800 is brought into the
right-side state as shown in FIG. 4.
[0089] When the hydraulic pressure supplied to the oil path 4702
connected to the B3 brake 3630 is reduced, on the other hand, the
force applied to push down the spool of the B1 apply control valve
4800 based on the hydraulic pressure supplied to the upper part of
the spool becomes smaller than the resultant force based on the
hydraulic pressure supplied to the lower part of the spool and the
bias force of the spring. As a result, the B1 apply control valve
4800 is brought into the left-side state as shown in FIG. 4.
[0090] The SL(3) 4230 is connected to the B1 apply control valve
4800 via the oil path 4232. Also, an oil path 4234 that branches
off from the oil path 4232 is connected to the B1 apply control
valve 4800. When the B1 apply control valve 4800 is placed in the
left-side state as shown in FIG. 4, the oil path 4232 and an oil
path 4802 connected to the B1 brake 3610 are brought into
communication with each other.
[0091] In the vehicle on which the automatic transmission 2000
constructed as described above is installed, shift control is
executed by the ECU 8000. The ECU 8000 sets a gear position
corresponding to running conditions of the vehicle, based on the
throttle opening, the rotational speed NO of the output shaft
(which will also be called "output shaft speed NO"), and a shift
diagram.
[0092] In the shift diagram, upshift line and downshift line
corresponding to each gear position are determined in advance by
experiment, or the like, and set. The ECU 8000 specifies a position
on the shift diagram based on the throttle opening and the output
shaft speed NO. When the specified position crosses an upshift line
corresponding to the currently established gear position, the ECU
8000 sets a gear position that is on the higher-speed side of the
established gear position. If the specified position crosses a
downshift line corresponding to the currently established gear
position, the ECU 8000 sets a gear position that on the lower-speed
side of the established gear position. The ECU 8000 carries out
shift control when the set gear position is different from the
currently established gear position.
[0093] The ECU 8000 determines the currently established gear
position based on, for example, the ratio (i.e., speed ratio)
between the turbine speed NT and the output shaft speed NO. The ECU
8000 transmits a hydraulic pressure control signal to the hydraulic
circuit 4000, so as to exercise predetermined control on various
solenoid valves explained above with reference to FIG. 4, thereby
to change the combination of engaged and released friction devices,
into the one corresponding to the gear position to be established
after shifting.
[0094] The ECU 8000 may set the gear position using the amount of
depression of the accelerator pedal in place of the throttle
opening, and may set the gear position using the running speed of
the vehicle in place of the output shaft speed NO.
[0095] In the vehicle on which the automatic transmission 2000 as
described above is installed, if the suction amount of the
hydraulic fluid from the strainer 4012 increases because of, for
example, a high engine speed, and the oil level of the hydraulic
fluid in the oil pan 4008 is lowered due to reduction in the amount
of the fluid in the oil pan 4008, the strainer 4012 may be exposed
to above the oil level, and air may be likely to be contained in
the hydraulic fluid supplied from the oil pump 4004. Where the
hydraulic fluid has a low temperature and thus has a high
viscosity, in particular, the hydraulic fluid supplied from the oil
pump 4004 is less likely to return to the oil pan 4008, and air may
be more likely to be mixed into the hydraulic fluid. If air is
present in the hydraulic fluid, a required hydraulic pressure
cannot be supplied to the friction device(s) to be engaged to
establish the set gear position of the automatic transmission 2000,
and slipping may occur in the friction device(s).
[0096] In view of the above situation, when an execution condition
that one of a plurality of gear positions set according to the
running conditions of the vehicle is maintained AND the rotational
speed of an input-side rotary shaft of the planetary gear unit 3000
is increased to be higher than the rotational speed corresponding
to the set gear position, is satisfied, the ECU 8000 controls the
vehicle so as to bring the vehicle from the running conditions
under which the execution condition is satisfied, into running
conditions that eliminate a state in which air is contained in the
hydraulic fluid supplied from the oil pump 4004.
[0097] In this embodiment, the ECU 8000 controls the vehicle so
that the rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft of the
planetary gear unit 3000 becomes lower than the rotational speed
detected when the execution condition is satisfied. More
specifically, when the execution condition is satisfied, the ECU
8000 controls the automatic transmission 2000 so as to shift the
transmission from the gear position established when the execution
condition is satisfied, to a higher-speed gear position than the
established gear position. The ECU 8000 may also execute control of
the engine 1000, in place of or in addition to the above control of
the automatic transmission 2000, so that output toque of the engine
1000 is reduced to be smaller than output torque obtained when the
execution condition is satisfied.
[0098] In this embodiment, the ECU 8000 may execute the vehicle
control as described above, when the temperature of the hydraulic
fluid is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature, as
well as when the execution condition is satisfied.
[0099] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the ECU 8000 as the
vehicle control system according to this embodiment of the
invention.
[0100] The ECU 8000 includes an input interface (hereinafter
referred to as "input I/F") 300, an arithmetic processing unit 400,
a memory 500, and an output interface (hereinafter referred to as
"output I/F") 600.
[0101] The input I/F 300 receives an oil temperature signal from
the oil temperature sensor 8026, an engine speed signal from the
engine speed sensor 8020, a turbine speed signal from the input
shaft speed sensor 8022, a throttle opening signal from the
throttle position sensor 8018, and an output shaft speed signal
from the output shaft speed sensor 8024, and transmits these
signals to the arithmetic processing unit 400.
[0102] The arithmetic processing unit 400 includes an oil
temperature determining unit 402, a shifting determining unit 404,
a surge determining unit 406, and a vehicle control unit 408.
[0103] The oil temperature determining unit 402 determines whether
the temperature of the hydraulic fluid based on the oil temperature
signal is equal to or lower than a predetermined temperature. The
predetermined temperature, which is determined by experiment, or
like, is set at a level at which the hydraulic fluid has such a
high viscosity that air is mixed into the hydraulic fluid. The oil
temperature determining unit 402 may set an oil temperature
determination flag to ON when the temperature of the hydraulic
fluid is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature, for
example.
[0104] The shifting determining unit 404 determines whether the
automatic transmission 2000 is in the process of shifting gears.
The shifting determining unit 404 determines whether the automatic
transmission 2000 is in the process of shifting gears, based on the
throttle opening, the output shaft speed NO, and the shift
diagram.
[0105] More specifically, the shifting determining unit 404
determines that the automatic transmission 2000 is in the process
of shifting gears when the currently established gear position is
different from the gear position set based on the throttle opening,
output shaft speed NO and the shift diagram, such as when the
position on the shift diagram which is specified based on the
throttle opening and the output shaft speed NO crosses an upshift
line or a downshift line. The shifting determining unit 404
determines that the automatic transmission 2000 is not in the
process of shifting gears when the currently established gear
position is kept being the same as the gear position set based on
the throttle opening, output shaft speed NO and the shift diagram
(until a predetermined time elapses, for example), since the
position on the shift diagram which is specified based on the
throttle opening and the output shaft speed NO does not cross any
upshift line or downshift line.
[0106] The shifting determining unit 404 may set a shifting
determination flag to ON when it determines that the automatic
transmission 2000 is in the process of shifting gears.
[0107] When the automatic transmission 2000 is not in the process
of shifting gears, and a difference between the turbine speed NT
and the synchronous rotational speed corresponding to the currently
established gear position is equal to or larger than a
predetermined value, the surge determining unit 406 determines that
a surge occurs in the engine speed or the turbine speed. The
predetermined value, which is determined by experiment, or the
like, is not particularly limited. The synchronous rotational speed
corresponding to the gear position means a turbine speed calculated
based on the output shaft speed NO and the gear ratio of the
currently established gear position.
[0108] For example, the surge determining unit 406 may make a
determination on the occurrence of a surge in the engine speed or
the turbine speed NT when the oil temperature determination flag is
ON and the shifting determination flag is OFF, and may set a surge
determination flag to ON when it determines that a surge occurs in
the engine speed or the turbine speed NT.
[0109] In this embodiment, when the surge determining unit 406
determines that a surge occurs in the engine speed or the turbine
speed NT, the vehicle control unit 408 controls the vehicle so as
to reduce the rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft of
the planetary gear unit 3000.
[0110] More specifically, the vehicle control unit 408 produces a
shift control signal for shifting the automatic transmission 2000
into a higher-speed gear position than the currently established
gear position, and transmits the signal to the automatic
transmission 2000 via the output I/F 600. The vehicle control unit
408 may control the automatic transmission 2000 so as to establish
a higher-speed gear position than the currently established gear
position when the surge determination flag is ON.
[0111] In another example, when it is determined that a surge
occurs in the engine speed or the turbine speed NT, the vehicle
control unit 408 may produce an engine control signal for reducing
the output torque of the engine 1000 to be smaller than that
detected when the occurrence of a surge in the engine speed or
turbine speed NT was determined, and may transmit the signal to the
engine 1000 via the output I/F 600, in place of or in addition to
the control exercised on the automatic transmission 2000. The
output torque may be reduced by reducing the throttle opening, or
retarding the fuel injection timing.
[0112] It is to be understood that the control executed by the
vehicle control unit 408 is not limited to the control of the
automatic transmission 2000 and the control of the engine 1000 as
described above, but the vehicle control unit 408 may control the
vehicle in any manner so as to reduce the rotational speed of the
input-side rotary shaft of the planetary gear unit 3000, or
suppress or prevent slipping of the friction devices.
[0113] In this embodiment, the oil temperature determining unit
402, shifting determining unit 404, surge determining unit 406 and
the vehicle control unit 408 are explained as functions implemented
via software, namely, functions implemented when a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) as the arithmetic processing unit 400 executes a
program or programs stored in the memory 500. However, the
above-indicated units 402, 404, 406, 408 may be implemented via
hardware. The above-mentioned programs are recorded in a storage
medium, which is installed on the vehicle.
[0114] The memory 500 stores various kinds of information,
programs, threshold values, maps, and so forth, and the arithmetic
processing unit 400 reads data from the memory 500 or stores data
into the memory 500 as needed.
[0115] Referring to FIG. 6, a control scheme of a program executed
by the ECU 8000 as the vehicle control system according to this
embodiment will be described.
[0116] The ECU 8000 determines in step (which will be abbreviated
as "S") 100 whether the hydraulic fluid has a low temperature,
i.e., a temperature equal to or lower than a predetermined
temperature. If the temperature of the hydraulic fluid is low (YES
in S100), the control proceeds to S102. If not (NO in S100), the
control returns to S100.
[0117] In S102, the ECU 8000 determines whether the automatic
transmission 2000 is in the process of shifting gears. If the
automatic transmission 2000 is in the process of shifting gears
(YES in S102), the control returns to S100.
[0118] In S104, the ECU 8000 determines whether a difference NTS
between the turbine speed NT and the synchronous speed
corresponding to the currently established gear position is larger
than a predetermined value NTS(0). If NTS is larger than NTS(0)
(YES in S104), the control proceeds to S106.
[0119] In S106, the ECU 8000 executes vehicle control. Namely, the
ECU 800 executes shift control of the automatic transmission 2000
for upshifting the currently established gear position, or executes
control for reducing the output torque of the engine 1000.
[0120] The operation of the ECU 8000 as the vehicle control system
of this embodiment based on the configuration and flowchart as
described above will be described with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG.
8.
[0121] First, the case where the shift control of the automatic
transmission 2000 is carried out will be explained with reference
to FIG. 7. Suppose that the vehicle is started from a standstill,
as shown in FIG. 7. At time T(0), the accelerator pedal is
depressed by the driver, so that a first-speed gear position is
established in which only the C1 clutch 3640 is engaged. Where the
throttle opening is kept at TH(0), the engine speed increases with
time. The vehicle speed (i.e., the rotational speed of the output
shaft) increases with increase in the engine speed.
[0122] With the automatic transmission 2000 placed in the
first-speed gear position, the turbine speed NT changes along with
the synchronous speed corresponding to the first-speed gear
position. Therefore, a difference between the turbine speed NT and
the synchronous speed corresponding to the first-speed gear
position is substantially zero.
[0123] If the position on the shift diagram which is specified
based on the throttle opening and the output shaft speed NO crosses
a first-to-second gear upshift line at time T(1), a second-speed
gear position is set, and the automatic transmission 2000 starts
being shifted into the second-speed gear position. Upon start of
shifting into second gear, the ECU 8000 controls the hydraulic
circuit 4000, so as to change a combination of engaged and released
friction devices corresponding to the first-speed gear position,
into a combination corresponding to the second-speed gear
position.
[0124] More specifically, the hydraulic circuit 4000 is controlled
so that the B1 brake 3610 is brought into an engaged state while
the C1 clutch 3640 is held in the engaged state. The synchronous
speed corresponding to the second-speed gear position is lower than
the synchronous speed corresponding to the first-speed gear
position. Therefore, as shifting into second gear proceeds, the
turbine speed NT is reduced down to the synchronous speed
corresponding to the set second-speed gear position, and the engine
speed is reduced.
[0125] Once the combination of engaged and released friction
devices has been changed, and the second-speed gear position is
established at time T(2), the turbine speed NT changes along with
the synchronous speed corresponding to the second-speed gear
position. Therefore, a difference between the turbine speed NT and
the synchronous speed corresponding to the second-speed gear
position is substantially equal to zero at the time when the
second-speed gear position is established.
[0126] If the hydraulic pressure applied to a friction device (the
C1 clutch 3640 or the B1 brake 3610) decreases and the engaging
force becomes weak at time T(3) due to the presence of air in the
hydraulic fluid supplied to the automatic transmission 2000,
slipping occurs in the friction device. As a result, the turbine
speed NT increases to be higher than the synchronous speed
corresponding to the currently established second-speed gear
position.
[0127] If the difference between the turbine speed NT and the
synchronous speed corresponding to the second-speed gear position
becomes larger than NTS(0) (YES in S104) at time T(4), where the
temperature of the hydraulic fluid is equal to or lower than the
predetermined temperature (YES in S100) and the gear position set
based on the throttle opening, output shaft speed NO and the shift
diagram continues to be the second-speed gear position (YES in
S104), a third-speed gear position as a higher-speed gear position
than the second-speed gear position is set, and the automatic
transmission 2000 starts being shifted into the third-speed gear
position (S106).
[0128] Upon start of shifting into third gear, the ECU 8000
controls the hydraulic circuit 4000 so as to change the combination
of engaged and released friction devices corresponding to the
second-speed gear position, into a combination of engaged and
released friction devices corresponding to the third-speed gear
position.
[0129] More specifically, the hydraulic circuit 4000 is controlled
so that, while the C1 clutch 3640 is held in the engaged state, the
B1 brake 3610 is released, and the B3 brake 3630 is engaged. The
synchronous speed corresponding to the third-speed gear position is
lower than the synchronous speed corresponding to the second-speed
gear position. Therefore, as shifting into third gear proceeds, the
turbine speed NT is reduced down to the synchronous speed
corresponding to the set third-speed gear position, and the engine
speed is reduced.
[0130] Owing to the reduction of the engine speed, the amount of
the hydraulic fluid sucked into the oil pump 4004 is reduced.
Therefore, the amount of the hydraulic fluid drawn from the oil pan
4008 is reduced. As a result, a sufficient amount of hydraulic
fluid whose oil level is high enough to keep air from being mixed
into the hydraulic fluid is stored in the oil pan 4008, and thus
the mixing of air into the hydraulic fluid can be eliminated or
prevented.
[0131] Next, the case where the control for reducing the output
torque of the engine 1000 is carried out will be explained with
reference to FIG. 8. The operation of the ECU 8000 during a period
from time T(0) to time T(3) in FIG. 8 is substantially the same as
the operation of the ECU 8000 during a period from time T(0) to
time T(3). Therefore, detailed description of the operation during
this period will not be repeated.
[0132] If the difference NTS between the turbine speed NT and the
synchronous speed corresponding to the second-speed gear position
becomes larger than NTS(0) at time T(5) (YES in S104), where the
temperature of the hydraulic fluid is equal to or lower than the
predetermined temperature (YES in S100), and the gear position set
based on the throttle opening, output shaft speed NO and the shift
diagram continues to be the second-speed gear position (YES in
S104), the throttle opening is reduced from TH(0) to TH(1) that is
smaller than TH(0).
[0133] If the throttle opening is reduced from TH(0) to TH(1), the
output torque of the engine 1000 is reduced. If the output torque
of the engine 1000 is reduced, the power transmitted from the
engine 1000 to the automatic transmission 2000 is reduced, whereby
the degree of slipping of the friction device (C1 clutch 3640 or B1
brake 3610) is reduced.
[0134] Owing to the reduction in the degree of slipping of the
friction device, a surge in the engine speed or turbine speed is
suppressed or prevented, so that the amount of the hydraulic fluid
sucked into the oil pump 4004 can be reduced to be lower than that
detected when the control for reducing the output torque of the
engine 1000 was started. Therefore, the amount of the hydraulic
fluid drawn from the oil pan 4008 is reduced. As a result, a
sufficient amount of hydraulic fluid whose oil level is high enough
to keep air from being mixed into the hydraulic fluid is stored in
the oil pan 4008, and thus the mixing of air into the hydraulic
fluid can be eliminated or prevented.
[0135] While the control of the automatic transmission 2000 and the
control of the engine 1000 are individually carried out in the
embodiment as described above, both of the control of the automatic
transmission 2000 and the control of the engine 1000 may be carried
out.
[0136] With the above-described arrangement of the vehicle control
system according to this embodiment, when the execution condition
is satisfied, control of the automatic transmission or the engine
is carried out so as to bring the vehicle from running conditions
in which the execution condition is satisfied, into running
conditions that will eliminate a state in which air is contained in
the hydraulic fluid supplied from the oil pump, thereby to
eliminate the state in which air is present in the hydraulic fluid
and suppress or prevent slipping of the friction device(s). Since
no means for detecting an exposed state of the strainer above the
oil level of the hydraulic fluid is needed for execution of the
above controls, there is no need to add a new constituent component
for this purpose. Thus, the vehicle control system and control
method are provided which eliminate the state in which air is
present in hydraulic fluid in the automatic transmission, without
requiring any additional component.
[0137] By controlling the automatic transmission so as to shift the
transmission into a higher-speed gear position than the gear
position established when the execution condition is satisfied, the
rotational speed of the input-side rotary shaft of the shifting
mechanism can be reduced, and the amount of the hydraulic fluid
supplied from the oil pump can be reduced. Therefore, the oil level
of the hydraulic oil in the oil pan is less likely to be lowered,
and the state in which air is present in the hydraulic fluid in the
automatic transmission can be eliminated.
[0138] By control the engine so as to reduce the output torque to
be smaller than the output torque detected when the execution
condition is satisfied, the torque transmitted to the automatic
transmission is reduced, so that the degree of slipping of the
friction device(s) can be reduced. With the output torque thus
reduced, a surge in the engine speed or turbine speed is suppressed
or prevented, and the rotational speed of the input-side rotary
shaft of the shifting mechanism is reduced, so that the amount of
the hydraulic fluid supplied from the oil pump can be reduced.
Consequently, the oil level of the hydraulic oil in the oil pan is
less likely to be lowered, and the state in which air is present in
the hydraulic fluid in the automatic transmission can be
eliminated.
[0139] In the illustrated embodiment, the shift control of the
automatic transmission and the control for reducing the output
torque of the engine are carried out when the difference between
the turbine speed and the synchronous speed corresponding to the
set gear position is equal to or larger than the predetermined
value. However, the shift control and the control of the engine may
be carried out when a difference between the engine speed and a
synchronous speed corresponding to the set gear position is equal
to or larger than a predetermined value.
[0140] It is to be understood that the illustrated embodiment is
not limiting the scope of the invention but exemplary in all
respects. The scope of the invention is not determined by the above
description of the embodiment but is defined by the appended
claims, and is intended to include all changes or modifications
within the meanings and scopes equivalent to the claims.
* * * * *